The owner of the Red Robin and Johnny Carino’s Italian restaurant franchises in Bend is building an independent steakhouse in the Old Mill District.

Restaurant Development Corp. co-owner Greg Hubert said construction on Greg’s Grill began early this month. Completion is expected in October.

The roughly 8,500-square-foot building will be next to Lahaina Galleries and directly across from REI, with views of Mount Bachelor and the Deschutes River.

”We decided to design the building so you can look straight at the river and the mountains,” Hubert said. ”We did it in a Northwest lodge-style concept, so it’s going to look like something you’d expect to see in Oregon.”

While specializing in prime- and choice-cut steaks, seafood and rotisserie chicken, the restaurant also will have burgers, barbecue ribs, soups and salads.

Hubert resists calling the restaurant a high-end establishment, instead saying it will be a traditional steakhouse with large portions and all the fixings.

Having a new restaurant in his name is Hubert’s tribute to a city he loves.

”We’re not doing this to start a new chain, we want to celebrate Central Oregon with the design and have it be a Bend restaurant,” Hubert said. ”I’m an Oregon boy with an Oregon concept.”

Hubert was born and raised in Tillamook and now lives in the Seattle area with his wife and co-owner of the business, Teresa Hubert. Bend residents Bev and Tom Krueger will partner with the Huberts, overseeing operations at Greg’s Grill.

Greg’s Grill will be the sixth restaurant to come to The Shops at The Old Mill District, said Mary Campbell, project administrator for the shops.

”It will be a great addition,” Campbell said. ”The steakhouse grill concept is something we don’t have right now. It’s one of a kind.”